The first performer of the ballad “Plyve kacha po Tysyni” Vira Bahanych received the title “Honored Artist of Ukraine”

On the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine, five Transcarpathians received state awards.
Today, August 24, the President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, signed the Decree No. 251/2017 "On presentation of state awards on the occasion of the Independence Day of Ukraine". The list of people awarded for a significant personal contribution to state building, socio-economic, scientific and technical, cultural and educational development of Ukraine, significant labor achievements and high professionalism includes five residents of Transcarpathia.
Thus, the honorary title "Honored Artist of Ukraine" was awarded to the singer and folklorist Vira Gamazi (Bahanych). Recall that in 1960’s, the singer was the first to professionally perform the ballad "Plyve kacha po Tysyni", and in 1972 recorded it at the record company "Melodiya". Vira Bahanych heard this folk song from her mother in 1959. Later, the known band "Pikkardiyska Tertsiya" made their own interpretation of the ballad, and in 2014 it became the requiem for the people killed on the Maidan during the Revolution of Dignity and the war in Donbas. Yesterday, August 23, Vira Bahanych, who turned 80 in May, performed the ballad "Plyve kacha po Tysyni" in the regional musical and drama theater to commemorate the memory of the Transcarpathians killed in the Donbas.
Also, by the decree of the President of Ukraine, Stepan Sholtes was awarded the honorary title "People’s Artist of Ukraine"; Tetyana Literati was awarded the honorary title "Honored Journalist of Ukraine"; Myroslava Rosul was awarded the honorary title "Honored Artist of Ukraine", and Oleksandr Baleha was awarded the honorary title "Honored Environmentalist of Ukraine".